September Maintenance Guide

This month start preparing your home for cooler temperatures and fall weather.

September is a month of transition, when we start to put away our summer gear and prepare for cooler weather. It can be a busy month for home maintenance. Be sure you do your outdoor tasks before the weather gets too bad and book your professional services like chimney sweeping and roof/gutter cleaning. In addition to professional servicing, there are easy DIY tasks you can do yourself to make sure you are getting your home ready for autumn.

September maintenance tasks

• Lay mulch for winter frost prep

• Trim back flowering plants like lavender

• Prune trees and shrubs near house

• Repair exterior siding as necessary

• Prep and clean fireplace

• Check for air leaks in attic and basement

• Clear roof and gutters from leaves

• Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector

• Inspect your fire extinguishers

Pros to schedule

• Heating service pro to assess your home’s potential heat loss

• Chimney sweep to inspect fireplace and ensure safety

Tip of the month: Fireplace Safety

Your fireplace should be a source of warmth and comfort, not a dangerous hazard. Unfortunately, every year thousands of people (including children) are seriously injured by fires. 14,000 house fires each year originate in the fireplace, so the more you know how to maintain your fireplace (and safely use it) the better. Here are some fireplace safety tips:

• Have your fireplace inspected each year by a professional, especially if your fireplace is wood burning

• Clear the area around the hearth and make sure it’s free of flammable materials

• Use only seasoned hardwood – soft wood creates more creosote buildup

• Always use a screen around the fireplace to catch sparks